She is very beautiful. She is gorgeous looking. And she has got a very clean and subtle spotless skin colour. By all standards, Adeyemo Bolanle Tawakalit is the type of lady any woman would admire owing to her very extremely attractive feminine features.
But that is not all there is about this very pretty and talented lady. Bolanle is the CEO of House of Terwer Clothing. She started her journey as a bespoke designer in 2012 back in Ibadan, but today, she is regarded as one of the finest and most sought after fashion designers in the country. As an incredibly creative designer, Bolanle, fondly called HOT by many of her customers and admirers of her work, has been able to consistently churn out breathtaking designs over the years that have gotten the high and mighty going to her for their exclusive bespoke outfits. They know that with Bolanle and her House Of Terwer clothing team, they can’t get it any better. They are guaranteed of top quality designs that would look exquisitely stunning on them when they wear her designs. And what’s more, she never disappoints her clients. Bolanle does not joke with her customers, her word is her bond. This is why her clients have stayed loyal to her all these years.
Last week, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) had an awesome time engaging this very warm and brilliant lady whose customers are always blown away by her sense of humility. She opened up on how she started her fashion business, how she moved to Osogbo in Osun state and how she has been able to transform the business into the flourishing brand that it is today. Here are excerpts from the interview.
We understand that you’re based in Osogbo, but where did you start the business from? When did you move to Osogbo?
I was born and brought up in Ibadan in Oyo state and I started my fashion business and enterprise there in 2012. Starting my business there impacted my business positively as I was able to access clients easily based on my understanding of the environment and the people since that’s where I grew up. However, after I got married, I had to leave my comfort zone in Ibadan to Oshogbo in Osun State.
So, if you ask me, I practically started this fashion business more than a decade ago though to the glory of the Almighty Allah, It was professionally established in 2018.
Tell us about your early fashion influences. Who were those you grew up with as a young girl that triggered your passion for fashion?
Hmmmmm…Honestly, I’m just a raw talent This is a small girl whom aspiration and dreams was to become an Economist. I have a humble background, my Dad of blessed memory was a civil servant while my mum was a petty trader.The whole situation was a motivation and drive for me to want to end up in corporate industry to build a career as an Economist, so, the idea of learning and developing skill set in fashion designing wasn’t an option.
The name of your outfit, House Of Terwer clothing, where and how did you coin the name from?
(smile) Funny enough, the brand name of my first rented fashion shop was “Trendy Look” because I wanted something funky and unique. I wanted to make a good impression and create a good image of my brand so that it stands out. But later, when I quit my banking job to fully concentrate and focus on my fashion line, a close friend advised that I should use a name that’s not common yet that clients could easily relate with. He suggested House of Tawa, with the acronyms (HOT). I considered the suggestion and I liked it so I introduced a little twist to the spelling to sound posh (laughs) which is now known as the House of Terwer (HOT).This is the power of having good people around you. People that believe and share your dreams. They may not support you financially but there are some positive advice you can’t get even when you are ready to pay millions. You need those people in your life and if you have one, hold them, value them and appreciate them.
Tell us about your designs, they are simply fabulous. Where do you get the inspiration to come up with these designs?
In other to hone my skills, I enrolled in a vocational fashion house where I learnt from one of the best in the industry. She taught me the basics and fundamentals of creative designs. She made me believe in the power of creativity. She emphasized that anything you imagine and think of, you can develop and create it. That is what they call fashion!
We can see you do a lot of ready to wear outfits and they are stunning. What has been the response of the market to your ready to wear?
I could say that I’m a bespoke designer and a Trainer. I’m one of NYSC SAED trainers in Osun state. I introduced my Ready to Wear (RTW) late last year and to the glory of Almighty Allah I’m overwhelmed by the level acceptance of our designs in the market space and fashion industry at large.
At what point did you make up your mind you were going to go into fashion designing?
The breaking point was during my Ordinary National Diploma (OND). I passionately dislike being Idle. I don’t like it when someone is comfortable not doing anything, no! I cant stand it. So, many times after my lectures, I would go back home to sleep. Then, smart phones were not this common and even if they were, I couldn’t afford one. So, I always got bored for lack of creative activities. I do not like to stay alone and I don’t easily make friends as well. So, I wanted to get busy after my lecture, I needed something to keep me busy and that was what prompted me to go and learn fashion designing, with the hope of getting busy and developing abilities to design my personal outfits. I never really thought of taking the fashion designing as a career when I started.
Professionally, how did you learn to cut and sew? What was your apprenticeship experience like?
Like I stated earlier, I learnt from one of the best in the fashion industry. My boss was an amazing teacher, trainer , and instructor. She made learning fashion designing so easy for me. She changed my mind and orientation and made me believe I can thrive with the business of fashion. My apprenticeship experience was a very good one, like I said, it was during my OND, so I learnt the skill as a part-time apprentice. I used to go to shop in the afternoon after lecture. In a nut shell, my boss was my inspiration. She was so amazing, though she was a vocational fashion trainer, she made acquiring the knowledge so simple. I learnt the basics from her then proceeded to acquiring more training online with some fashion schools to upgrade my skills because you know the world is changing, likewise the people. So if you want to remain relevant in the fashion industry, then Upgrade is a must. In fact, I’m still learning and I will continue to learn because “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those cannot read and write but those that cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn’ – Alvin Toffler.
At the time you started your outfit, what were the initial challenges you first faced? And how tough was it for you getting customers?
Taking the first step, most especially starting from the scratch is always tough and rough but trust me, No Pain, No Gain. Actually, I started from the scratch! When I say scratch, I’m talking about the very scratch. I started inside my room with one obsolete machine. I sewed for people almost for free just to get their attention and put my brand in their faces. Thereafter, I was able to save some money and rented one small shop around Monatan in Ibadan, It wasn’t easy at all. You know in Nigeria, we like to package our brand especially my gender. If your shop is not full of accessories and lighting, even if you can sew for the 1st lady to wear, you might not attract the patronage. So, part of the early challenge I faced was clients not sure of what I can deleiver because of the environment I operated from. Market place on social media wasn’t this popular and effective. I was full of creative ideas but funding was an issue and limitation. I needed financial backing and support badly, you know you need to pay to play the game in any business, either with your money or with your time. It was at this point I decided to work in one of the leading financial institution in Nigeria as a front teller so that I can save some money. Fortunately for me, I got the job, I worked there for 2 years then quit. I went back to learn men designs then started House of Terwer (HOT).
You have a lot of top society women whom you offer bespoke services to. How has it been for you managing your large clientele of A-list celebrity women and keeping them satisfied with your designs over the years?
Integrity is very important as an entrepreneur. Guard and protect your name jealously. I made sure I keep to my word when it comes to delivery and that has really helped me. I delivered whenever I promise to. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a work in progress (laughs). I learn everyday to upgrade my skills and to stay up-to date with information and designs in the industry. So, my clients always get the astonishing and elegant styles they desire and most importantly at the exact time they need it.
It’s clear to see you prefer to work with top quality fabrics, where do you source your fabrics from?
Sourcing of Fabrics is the most difficult part of my business. Honestly, I don’t have a particular place I source my fabrics from. Anytime I come across a nice fabric, I buy it either within the country or outside the country.
Do you have plans to spread beyond Osogbo soon and subsequently move out of your current base into places like Lagos for instance?
The world is now a global village. Social media has really helped businesses and made a lot of things easy. Honestly, I make a lot of sales and I have clientele spread within the country and outside the country.Presently, I am not thinking of moving out of my present location though I’m working on a ready to wear African online and physical stores outside the within and outside the country.
To reach Bolanle for your exquisite bespoke designs, contact her on:
+2348137220604, +447466616594
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